Apparatus for making garment-pads.



PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907.

G. GOLVDMAN. I APPARATUS FOR MAKING GARMENT PADS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 27, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907.

G. GOLDMAN. A APPARATUS FOR MAKING GARMENT PADS.

APPLICATION FILED SEP'I .27.1904.

(inventor Gtbozmurl h t alo g,

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907.

G. GOLDMAN'. APPARATUS FOR MAKING GARMENT PADS.

APPLICATION IILED SEPT. 27. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Inventor dag mm mm, \m Rm Htjomcygd itneasea UNrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV GOLDMANQOF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

' APPARATUS FOR MAKING GARMENT-PADS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1907.

Application filed September 27, 1904. Serial No. 226,227.

To will whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAV GOLDMAN, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Making Garment-Pads, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This inventlon relates to means for making garment-pads, and has for its objectto pro-' limshingior smoothing .the surface of the 1 pads, the whole formingone continuous and uninterrupted operation.

In my United States Patent No...758,243 I have described a method of felting or matting masses of fibers together, which, generally stated, consists in laying the fibers down in a light fluffy condition and introducing a dry finely-divided binding material between the fibers and subsequently treating the mass of fibers with the binding material between them in such a way as to convert the dry finely-divided binding material into an active binder, and preferably the apparatus constituting the present invention forms the sheet or strip "ofmatter or felted fibers from which the pads are cut in accordance with the method set forth-in my said patent.

consists in means fordividing or separating the fibers into a light fiufiy mass comblned with means introducing a dry finely-dividedm'aterialsuch as powdered resinate, for examplebetween the fibers and meanssubsequently'subjecting the mass otfibers to the action of moisture, heat, and pressure, either simultaneously or otherwise, whereby the binding material is converted into an active binder. The fibersare thus converted into a strip or sheet and are transported from one part of the mechanism to another upon continuously-traveling carriers, such as a continuous belt or series of belts.

In the manufacture of many forms of garment-pads the sheet or strip of fibers may be of even thickness in cross-section, while, on the other hand, for certain other forms of padsas, for exam le, in the manufacture of sloping or tapere garment-pads-it is desirable that the sheet or strip should be thicker at some portion of its cross-section than at point toward its edges. This thickest ortion of the sheet'need not be its medial me, but may be at anypoint between the two es of the sheet. For the purpose of proed vidfing a sheet that is thus of uneven or vary ing thickness in 'crossesection I preferably compose the sheet or strip of a series of superimposed films, laying the first film down upon the traveling carrier and simultaneously in-' troducing the binding material among the fibers, after which another film is laid upon the first, the binding material being simultaneously introduced between the fibers of the second film, and so on until a suilicient number of films have been laid one upon another to form a sheet or layer of the desired thickness. Some of these films are of the full width of the desired sheet of finished mate.- rial, while others are narrower and are placed at the point where the greatest thickness of the finished sheet is desired.

The several films having been placed one upon another, the entire sheet or layer is advanced, preferably by a continuously-mov ing carrier, to a'mechanism (here shown in the form of a steam press or table) where it is subjected to heat and pressure, and in case the binding material is of a character rendering it desirable, also to moisture. The ma- 1 terial having been thus subjected to heat, pressure, and'moisture, if need be, it is then To this end the invention, generally stated, v

preferably passed between a pair of steam rollsfor more effectively setting the binding others, preferably tapering fromits highest material, and from there,while it is still hot, I

and before the binding material has finally reached its absolutely-fixed condition, the

material may, if desired, be passed between suitable formers which act to smoothly adjust the entire mass, forming the sheet so that its greatest thickness will be accurately adjusted along the line desired, though, if preferred, the treatment bythe forming appliance may be omitted; When it is desired to more effectively. finish the sheet so as to give the exterior surfaces a smooth and presentable finish, it is preferably subjected to IIO heat and pressure, as with a series of hot finishing -rolls.

In the manufacture of certain classes of garmentepads it is desirable that the material should not only slant from the medial lineout toward the edges of the sheet or strip, but it is also desirableto have the same accurately taper off fronrthe highest point in the finished pad, and by the present invention the strip of mater'al as it proceeds from the finishing-rolls is fed directly to a mechanism which cuts or skives out on tapered lines a portion of the thickness of the sheet, the particular contour of the portion skived out being determined by the particular character 'or class of pad itis desired to construct, The

skiving mechanism acts to skive out transverse pieces from one side of the sheet, preferably the material between the sltived portions being sufiicient for a pair of said pads. After the sheet of material passes from the skiving mechanism it is advanced to suitable means for cutting pads of the desired shape there-- from. Any suitable l neans may be employed forthis purpose; but 1-. prefer to employ a die designed to-simultaneously cut a pair of pads from the strip of material at a single stroke, means being provided for caus ing a dwell in the advance n'lovement of the fibrous strip during the time in which the die is effecting the cut. During the SlilVllig operation the surf-ace acted upon by the shiving mechanism is liable to be more or less roughened up, and for the purpose of giving the pads a smooth and finished rmpearanee they are passed to a finisblig (:1 'ice so constructed that the same finishes one surface of the pad as it passes through the device, after which the pad is againpresented -by suitable means, such as a turn-table, to the finishing device, and its other face being finished it is then delivered onto a suitable carrier by which, aft er being carried a proper distance to cooland allow the binding material to set, it is deposited in a hopper or in a pile, from whence it is remrwed at intervals by the workmen.

Any suitable means may be employed for separating the fibers into a light fluffy mass. Preferably a carding-machine of the usual or any suitable crmstruction is employed for this purpose, and as the fibers leave the doffer of the carding-machine th y pass under a suitable apparatus for distributing the finely-divided binding material directly upon the fibers as they are in the act of falling u on the continuous carrier. Means are emp eyed for evenly distributing the fibers across the continuous carrier (which is prefcrably an endless belt or series of such belts) as they leave the dcfi'er of the carding-machine, and for the purpose of insuring the even width. of the sheet the fibers pass between suitable guide-pl ates onto the continuous carrier. By adjusting the guide-plates of the several carding-machines,which may be arranged in 'series,it will be perceived that itis entirely practieable to lay down first a bread or foundation film of the fibers upon the traveling carrier and then at the next cardingmachine. to lay down a narrower filmsay one of two-thirds the width of the first filmand by suitably guiding the second film it may be placed either centrally upon the first film or to one side of the central line along any'desired line. Other films may be laid upon the second film, either narrower or wider than the second, and finally atop film may be placed over the whole, which may be and preferably is of the full width of the first. film. When the sheet thus formed is subjected to means for converting the binding material between the fibers of the several films into an active binder, the various films will all be united into one coherent, matted, or felted mass of uneven thickness, or in case all of the films laid down are of equal width into asheet of uniform thickness in crosssection.

f desired, any intermediate film or films may havetbc binding, material omitted and the binding material be supplied to the top and bottom films only. For the purpose of subjecting the sheet or layer when formed to heat and pressure and where desired to moisture for the purpose of converting the binding: material into an active binder various forms of apparatus may be employed. Preferably, however, the sheet is advanced from the continuous carrier between two belts, one of which is a moisture-carrying belt, and these two belts carry the fibers upon a steamheated table, upon the surface of which rolls are mounted and actively revolved, said rolls being preferably cut out upon their surfaceto suit their contour in cross-section to the sheet-which is being manufactured and the rolls also being preferably heated, as by -steam, and. provided with means for adjusting them toward and from the table in order to :egul'ate the pressure with which they may bear upon the sheet as the said sheet is advanced beneath them. Instead of laying down the fibers and afterward introducingdry binding material between them, as set forth in my United States Pat-ent- No 758,243, the mass of fibers may be treated with a wet binder and afterward laid down in sheet form by any suitable mcans, as a card ing-engine, and. then subjected to heat and pressure, as set forth in my United States atent No. 768,599. In this case the belt employed with the steam-table would not act to impartmoisture to the fibers, but to extract it therefrom, or, if desired, it might be omitted altogether and a simple conveying-belt substituted therefor.

Various means may be employed for shaping the sheet in cross-section after it leaves the steam-press table, one very efficient means for this purpose consisting in a conical mately occupy, thereby giving the sheet in.

cross-section its final form. Preferably also a forming device, as a pair of conical rollers, act-s upon the sheet or layer of material just before it passes fipon the steam-table, serving to crowd the fibers of the entire sheet approximately intothe final form- 1. e., to give the whole sheet the cr )ss-sectional form which it is desired it should have when completed.

After the sheet has passed the steam-press table and the former there are liable to be stray fibers, which project from thesurface of'the sheet, and for the purpose of smootlb ing these down and giving the sheet a finished appearance the sheet is preferably passed through a finishing device consisting, essentially, of a pair of finishing-rolls. Any suitable means for finishing the sheet after it leaves the steam-press table and formingrollers may be employed; but preferably'the sheet is first passed over the top of a large heated finishing-roll having a pluralityof smali steam-heated rollers bearing thereon, and the action of these'is to finish one surface of the sheet, and frbm the first finishing-roll the sheet is then passed underneath a second finishing-roll, which operates in connection with a plurality of steam-heated rollers to finish the opposite surface of the sheet.

The carding engines or machines employed. for laying down the fibers in a lightfluffv condition may be placed either side by side with the continuous carrier passing in front of thedofier of each machine or the cardingmachines may be placed one in front of the other with the continuous carrier passing underneath the series of machines and beneath the doifer of each machine. When the latter arrangement is employed, the sheet of material manufactured may be the full width ofthe dofl'er of the carding-engine, if desired, or by removing some of the teeth of the 'dofler or of the doffer-comb, thereby dividing the same into sections of any desired. width, a plurality of sheets'or strips of mate rial may the traveling carrier.

In cases where it is desirable to size the .surfaces of the sheet suitable means are employed for applying a liquid or other'size.

Preferably this-is done just before the sheet enters the finishing-rolls, thoughythis is not essential.

Instead. of sizing the surfaces of the.

be' simultaneously laid down upon binder and causing it to so engage the projecting fibers as to afford a smooth surface under the action of the finishing-rolls.

The inventive idea may receive a great variety of mechanical expressions. One of these is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a carding-engine in front elevation having a suitable dusting device mounted thereon for distributing the binding material among the fibers as the same leave the doiler of the carding-machine, and the steam press table in side elevation, disclosing the manner in which. the sheet of fibers is subj ected to heat and pressure, and moisture, if desired. Fig. 2 is a broken plan showing one manner of evenly distributing the fibers upon the traveling-carrier from the dofl'er of the carding-machine. Fig. 3 isa similar broken plan showing another arrangement for the saine purpose. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4 4,-FigQ1, showing the ,fibers as they leave the doffer of one machine preparatory" to being superimposed upon three 0t er films already in position upon the continuous car rier. Fig. 5 is 'a section on the line 5 5, Fig.1, showing the film that is leaving the dofler in Fig. 4 just as it is in the act of beingplac'ed or superimposed upon the other films on the centmuous earner. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the guide-plates by means of which the films from the doffer ma be placed in any position and of any deslred width upon the continuous carrier. 7 shows in longitudinal section a pair of conical rollers that are employed to press the various films on the conin cross-section which it is desired the finished sheet shall have after it has passedthe .steam-press table. Fig. 8 is a diagramn'latic plan showing the manner in which a plurality of stri s may be simultaneously laid down tinuous'carrier into approximately the form with t e carding-engines placed one in 'advance of the other; and Fig. 9 is a diagram- 'ma,tic illustration of the'arrangement of the (plurality of cardin'g-ma- I a paratus when a mines are arrange side by side, showing also in diagrammatic form the steam-press table, the former, the sizing apparatus, finishing-rolls, the skiver, the die-press, and the finishing-press. f

Referringto the drawings, 1 indicates any suitable mechanism for-separating the fibers into a fine fluffy mass and laying them down upon any suitable support. As here shown this mechanism 1 is in the form of a carding machine of any usual or suitable construction, and for the purpose of di agrammatically illustrating the invention I have shown in F g. 9 a series of these machines,(indicated by the respective numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, 5 indicates the dofifer of a carding-machine from which the carded fibers are delivered, preferably onto an endless belt 6, which serves to carry the fibers as they are delivered from the doffer slightly outward therefrom, and 7, Fig. 9,-in-

dicates a continuous carrier, here shown in the form of an endless belt, which passes along in front of the carding machine or machines. If the carded fibers were permitted to fall directly upon the continuous carrier 7, they would not. be evenly distributed across the carrier, and the width of the sheet or layer of fiber falling thereon could not'be accurately controlled. In order that the fibers asthey fall from the cardiugmachine 1 may be distiibuted'across any desired width or portion of the continuous carrier 7, suitable means are provided for laying the fibers down upon the continuous carrier 7 across the entire Width or any desired portion thereof. Valious mechanisms may be employed for this purpose, and there is shown in Fig. 2 an endless belt 8, arranged to move in frontof the doifer of the carding-machine, but at a slight angle therto and in a plane above the continuous carrier 7. When the fibers pass from the dotfer of the carding-machine, they are received by the continuous belt 6, and after passing from said belt they drop upon the distributing-belt 8, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 4. This belt 8, however, is so arranged that its rear edge on one side of the carding-machine is immediately under the outer portion of.

the belt 6, and the fibers falling from said belt 6 are received on the inner portion of said distributing-belt 8. The inner edge of the belt 8, however, slants in considerably toward the doffer of the carding-machine and I to such an extent that the outer edge of said belt is brought approximately under the outer edge of the belt- 6 at the advance sideof the carding-inachin e-t. e., on the side in the direction in which the carrier 7 is traveling. The distributing-belt 8 also has movement in substantially the same direction as the carrier-belt, and as it thus moves in a line across the line in which the fibers fall it will be seen that this results in the fibers being evenly distributed across the entire width of the belt 8 as it advances.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, 9 and 10 indicate upright guide-plates between which the fibers on the distributing-belt 8 passes said belt advances, said guide-plates being adjustably'mounted upon the framework of the mechanism by any suitable means, as slotted 'bars 12, through which'adjusting-screws 13 are passed, to theend that the guide-plates may be moved toward or from each other, as may be desired, to lay down a sheet of fiber of greater or less width. Instead of thus passing the fibers from the dofi'er of the carding-machine onto a distributing-belt placed diagonally to the carding-machine the same result may be effected by placing an apron in front of the carder, which apron has its front edge arranged at an angle to the line of travel of the continuous carrier, as shown in Fig. 3, where the fibers are shown as'passing from an apron 14, whose front is shown arranged at an angle to and above the continuous carrier 7. As shown in said figure, it will be seen that on the advanceor right-hand side of the carding-machine the fibers are deposited on the outside portion of the continuous carrier 7, while at the rear or left-hand side of the figure the fibers are deposited upon the inner portion of the carrier, the ultimate result being an even distribution of the fibers entirely across the carrier. The guide-plates 9 and 10 having been adjusted to the desired width, the fibers as they are advanced by distributing-belt 8 of Fig. 2, or as they are advanced by the continuous carrier 7 in the construction shown in Fig. 3, are passed between the plates, and the ultimate width of the film of fibers laid down upon the continuous carrier will thus be determined by the adjustment of the guide-plates 9 and 10. As the fibers pass from between said guide-plates they are received between two continuously-revolving rollers 15 and 16, Fig. 5, driven by any suitable gearing, and are deposited by said rollers directly upon the continuous carrier or upon another film of fibers previously laid upon the carrier.

. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 17 indicates a suitable mechanism for receiving and evenly distributing the finely-divided binding mate rial among the fibers as they pass from thedoifer 5 of'the carding machine and along the belt 6 just previous to being deposited therefrom upon the carrier-belt. mechanism for distributing the binding material in a uniform manner among the fibers may be utilized for this purpose; but preferably there is employed a dusting device or apparatus of the character shown and described in my United States application, Serial No. 225,538, filed September 22, 1904. This device is supported in any suitable Way upon the framework of the carding-engine 1, and as the fibers leave the doffer of the carding-machine the binding material is uniformly distributed between them.

The movements of the various belts" and portions of the machinery would be liable to disturb the fibers which have been laid down upon the continuously-advancing carrier, and in order to avoid this means, such as an endless belt 18, are supported in a position immediately over the continuous carrier, which belt s capable ofbeing adjusted up or down to receive an advancing sheet of the fibers, whatever the thickness of said sheet as to receivebetween it and the carrier-belt Any suitable.

the machine 3 this belt might be adjusted so 4 carding-machines.

The operation of the apparatus as thus far described is as follows: 'l'h'e continuous carrier being set in motion, the duster-box 17 being supplied with a suitable finely-dividedbinding material, and the carding-machine 1 being set in operation, a film of fiber leaving the dcffer of the machine passes over the apron 6, and as it does so theduster 17 distributes the .fmely-divided binding material between the fibers. The fibers with the hint ing material between them then pass from.

the apron 6 upon the distributing-belt 8, Fig. 2, by which they are advanced from left to right between the guide-plates 9 and 10. At the carding-machine 1 these plates are set at a distance apart corresponding to the desired width of the sheet of material to be pro duced. As the film 8 leaves the guide-plates 9 and 10 it'is passed between the rollers 15 and 16, situated immediately to the right of the carding-machine l, by which they are compressed into a somewhat smooth and compact mass and delivered immediately upon the continuously-advancing carrier 7, which moves from left to right. As this carrier advances the film is carried under the retaining-belt 18, in front of the second carding-machine, and this machine being then set in motion a second film of the fibers with the binding material between. them is deposited from between the rollers 15 and 16- thereof directly upon the film of fibers laid down by the cardinganachine -1. This second film of fibers may be'of the same width as the first film, or, if desired, it may vary in width. For the purpose of illustra' tion it is shown at 20, Fig. 4, as being slightly narrower in width and as being placed approximately in the middle of the first film 19. This, however, need not be done, as the second film may be placed to either side of the center of the first film, if desired. This operation is repeated by each carding-machine in succession, the film from each carding-machine being laid down upon the film deposited by the previous machine, the width of the various films being determined entirely by the adjustment of the guide-plates 9 and 10. It will be understood, of course, that if desired only a single carding-machine maybe operated, in which case a sheet of the thickness of one film only would be formed. The

sheet of fibers consisting of one or more films,"

as the case may be, having been deposited upon the continuous carrier is advanced by it andv delivered over a roller 22, Fig. 7, above which there is mounted a pair of rollers 23 and 24. As here shown, these rollers 23 and. 24 are conical in shape and have their apices placed adjacent to each... other above the roller 22 and are mounted upon shafts capable of'adjustment around universal joints 25 and 26, to the end that the apices of the rollers may be raised or lowered, as may be desired. The conical rollers are preferably of uneven length, the rollers 24 being here shown as considerably longer thanthe roller 23, though, if desired, they may be of the same length. As the sheet of fibers is ad-' vanced by the roller 22 under the conical rollers 23 and 24 th'elatter, act to crowd the fibers in such a way as to cause the highest point of the sheet of fibers when taken in cross-section to be immediately under the apices of the two rollers, the two conical rollers thereby" serving to give the general form to the sheetin cross-section. The sheet of fibers having thus been formed or shaped is delivered from under the conical rollers to the mechanism for converting the dry finely-divided binding material to an active binder for the fibers.- The particular operation of this mechanism will depend somewhat upon the character of the binding material employed. In somecases it will be found desirable to supply moisture, and generally in connection with heat and presssure, while in other cases the moisture may be omitted and heat and pressure alone resorted to,

Referring more particularly to Fig. l 27 is an endless belt passing around rollers 28, 29, 30, and 31. This belt may be of any suitable construct-ion calculated to receive and carry moisture, preferably of the construction shown and described in my application, Se rial No.- 225,539, filed September 22, 1904. This belt travels in the direction indicated by thearrow, and immediately above it to the right of the conical rollers 24 is a second belt 32, traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow. The sheet of fiber as it is delivered from the roller 24 is advanced between the belts 27 and 32 and carried upward upon a table 33, which table is heated by a steamboX 34, supplied with steam in any suitable manner, as through steam-pipes 35. The sheet of fibers is advanced. along the steamtable 33 by the belt'27 and a belt 36. Mounted immediately above the table are a series of steam-heated rollers 37, whichjrollers are preferably adjustable toward andfrom the surface of the table 33 and which have their peripheries cut away so as to conform to the particular shape in cross-section of the sheet of fibers which is to be formed. Located at any suitable place along .the travel of the belt 27 is a suitable means forsupplying moisture thereto, here shown as a jet 38, which discharges moisture in the form of-steam or water, as may be desired, upon the belt.

The operation of this portion of the apparatus is as follows: The bolts 27 32, and 36 being in operation and moving in the direction indicated by the respective arrows, the jet 38 discharging moisture upon the belt 27, and the table 33 and the rollers 37 being suit ably heated by steam or. otherwise, the sheet of fibers is advanced from the carding-engine upward and along the top of the steam-table 33. Ihe moisture in the belt 27 is converted into steam by the heat of the table 33 and rollers 37 and penetrates throughout the mass of the fibers, thus serving in conjunction with the heat to convert the dry finelydivided binding materal into an active binder, and the pressure of the rollers upon the sheet of fibers serves to render this binding condition of the material effective for the purpose desired. This operation is repeated as the sheet of fibers passes under the several rollers 37 of the series untilit emerges from the last roller at the right-hand side of Fig. 1. At this point the, moisture has thoroughly permeated the entire sheet, the binding material has become thoroughly affected by the heat and the moisture, so as to render it an active binder, and the heat present in the sheet will serve to rapidly drive off the moisture, and as soon as the same has cooled the binding material sets and the fibers are retained in a compact matted or felted mass.

It has been found desirable, however, beforethiscooling and drying action has been completed to again subject the sheet to the action of a suitable forming device. Any suitable device for giving the sheet the desired outline in cross-section may be employed, here indicated in Fig. 9 as a conical roller 40 immediately above a cylindrical roller 41,

a pair of steam-rollers 42, interposed between the steam-press table and the former. serving to maintain the binding material hot and the entire sheet in a condition to be suitably acted upon by the former-roller 40.

In case the sheet of fibers is-to be sized, the sizing is preferably done at this point. Any suitable apparatus and any desirable kind of sizing may be, employed. For the sake of illustrating the invention I have shown spraying-nozzles a; and y located one above and one'below the sheet of fibers, in position to direct a liquid sizing material upon the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet.

In some instances asthe equivalent of sizing thesurface of the sheet before'passing it .over the rollers 44 and 45 a suitable solvent for the binding material used is sprayed or otherwise directed onto the surfaces of the sheet, thereby softening the binder, so that it will be peculiarly effective in seizing upon and retaining the stray projecting fibers when the sheet is passed overthe rollers 44 and 45. The means for applying the solvent may be of any form desired; but preferably the spray-nozzles a; y are employed for this purpose, the kind of solvent used depending upon the binder that is employed. For example. if a res'inate s employed as the binder alcohol, turpentine, or naphtha may be sprayedor directed in gaseous jets upon the surfaces of the sheet.

After the sheet has received the desired form in cross-section from the former-rolls 40 and 41 and without regard to whether the sizing has beenapplied or not there is liable to be more or less loose fibers projecting from the surface, which would mar its finish In order to impart smooth and sightly finish to the surface of the sheet, it is next passed through a finishing apparatus, which may consist of two large finishing-rolls 44 45, Fig. 9. Any suitable form of finishing apparatus might be employed; but preferably there is employed finishing-rolls heated by steam and operated after the manner described in my application, Serial No. 231,117, filed November 2, 1904. This apparatus, generally speaking, consists of the two large rollers 44 and .45, which are heated, as by steam, and in juxtaposition to the upper surfaceof roller 44 there is a series of smaller rollers 46, also steam-heated, so that the sheet of fibers-as it passes between the roller 44 and the rollers 46 has one of its surfacesas the lower surface, for examplesmoothly finished by the action of the roller 44, and as the sheet leaves roller 44 it passes under roller 45, where it is subjected-to the finishing action of said roller 45 to finish the other surface. The sheet of fibers having thus been laid down suitably formed, the fibers thereof bound to ether, and the surface of the sheet sized, if e'sired, and properly finished, it is then passed uponany suitable conveyer-as, for example, the conveyin belt 48, Fig. 9- Where it is allowed to trave some distance in the air for the purpose of cooling off and setting the binding material. The sheet of fibers is next passed to mechanism for shaping it so as to suit it for having pads cut therefrom. In the formation of pads, such as coat-pads, the sheet will be preferably constructed with its highest point either along its medial line or to one side thereof, as might be desired in the particular class of pads, and would slope from this line toward the'two edges of the sheet. In order to give the particular sloping form to the finished pad, it is designed by the present invention to skive out or cut away a portion of the thickness of the finished sheet, and for this purpose the sheet is passed directly from the conveying-belt 48 to any suitable skiving apparatus 49, preferably of the form shown in my application, Serial No. 226,226, filed September 27, 1904.

The skiving apparatus operates to cut out or remove segmental sections at stated intervals from one surface of the sheet. The skiving is performed in such manner that the skived-out portion tapers in the manner which it is desired the finished pad shall taper,and the result of the skiving and of the tapering of the sheet of fibers from an intermediate line toward both of its edges is a portion of the sheet which slopes or tapers in all directions from the highest or intermediate point. For the purpose of skiving the sheet in the manner described I prefer to employ a skiving apparatus consisting,.essentially, of a rapidly-moving endless cutter-knife, Fig. 9,

which has a line of motion transverse tothat 'of the sheet and immediately beneath the under surface of the sheet as it is advanced. Immediately adjacent to the skiving-knife the sheet passes between two rollers, the up- ,per one, 49, of which is mounted so that it bears by sprin or ravity' pressure upon the lower roller, which atter roller has a portion 49 of its surface cut away, the contour of the cut-away portion corresponding to the contour of the skive whic'hit is desired to cut out of the sheet. As the sheet passes between these rollers the gravity-roller acts to pressthe .fibers of the sheet down into the cut-out portion 49 of the lower roller and to that extent below the level of the skiving-knife, and as the sheet is thus advanced with a portion thereof depressed below the level of the knife the knife acts to cut away the portion which is depressed below the normallevel, the shape stantially vertical plane, and a vibrating platen 50, operated to advance to, and recede from the die 50, together with apparatus, as feed-rollers50, for feeding the skivedsheet between the die and the platen. In order that the die may cut the'pads exactly at that ortion of the sheetthat has been skived out orthat purpose and so that the tapering of the pad maybe of the form desired, it is essential that the sheetshould be fed before the 3 die.- in exactly the proper'position, and for,

this purpose means are'provided in the -die-. [press for elevating or lowering the feed-roll- 5o ers so as. to properly position the sheet -before the die. Moreover, at the instant whentthie. die is operatin to. cut .the pads from the sheet it is essentia that there'should .b a dwell in the feed mechanism which ad- 5 5 ces the sheet tothe die, and for this purthe die-pressis provided with suitable h mechanism '(not shown) for throwing ding-rollers out of action at the instant w errhe platen is advanced against the die, x n ce versa,for,-throwing the feed-rollers otion at the instant when the' pl'aten recedesjfromlthe die. i

For theurposeof enabling the pads to be readilyj ..de ivered' fromfthe die-press and for expedition of action the 50 is made 1101-.

low. It may be and preferably is formed so asto out two ads at a'time from the sheet. As the p'adsfa l-from the hollow die they are received by a continuous carrier, which acts to advance them to a finishing-press. The treatment of the ads in the finishin -press is rendered desirab e by reason of the act that the action of the skiver is liable to leave, a more or less rough and unfinished surface at the point 'where the skiving-knife has cut through the material, thereby givin the same an-unsightly appearance. efiectually smooth the pad upon both surfaces and complete it for the market, it is ad vanced to the finishing-press, which is constructed to subject the pad to heat and pressure, the heat serving to soften the binding material slightly at the surface and the pressure causing the projecting fibers to be forced firmly into place, thus imparting the desired finish to the pad.

Any suitable finishing device maybe employed; butprefera'bly I em loy that shown in my application, Serial N 0. 231,116, filed November 2,. .1904. .This finishing-press consists, essentially, of a convex heated roller 51, revolving in close proximity to a heated concave surface 51, and a built-up or padded belt51, so constructed that in crosssection it presents a-concave surface corre sponding approximately -,to that of the shape of thepad to be finished. The pad 1s re- 51 and by it carried under the hot roller 51 and between said roller and the hot concave surface of table 51 above referred to. This acts to smoothly finish one side. of the pad, and as it emerges from the belt and roller it is delivered to a turn-table 52, which acts to deliver it to an elevator-belt 53, by which it is "delivered to a second concave carryingbelt, which carries it again beneath the hot roller -51 and hot concave surface 51", whereby the other surface of the pad is finished. As' the pad emerges from between said sec ond belt and the roller it is deposited by a chute54 upon a suitable slowly-moving car-' rier 55, by which it is deposited in a suitable receptacle 56 or in a pile to be removed by the workmen. Preferably this carrier is one In or er to ceived by this hollowed-out or concave belt extending a considerable distance in order that the padmay be allowed to- 0001 before it.

is subjected to any rough treatment, thereby insuring the permanency of the finish im parted by the finishing-press.

. OperationLThe operation of the mechanism as a wholewill be readily understood. The fibers being laid down on the continuous carrier by the-cardin mechanism or mechan isms and the bin ing' material simultaneously introduced between the fibers by the (luster mechanism'are treated by the form iiig-rollis 23 and 24 to crowd the same into a proximatelythe desired form in cross-sec- 131011, after which it is advanced to the steaminclined roller 40.

table, which acts to convert the binder into an active binding agent for the fibers. When the sheet emerges from the steam-press table, it preferably passes between steam-rollers, which serve to maintain the heat in the mass of fibers, thereby leaving it in the'best condi-' tion to be acted upon by the former, consisting of the supporting-roller 41 and conical or If it 'is desired to size the sheet at this point, the nozzles '20 and y deliver any suitable sizing, as'a very thin liquid glue, upon the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet, thereby supplying the material necessary to bind the little ends and fibers Which may project from the sheet just before the sheet advances to the finishing-rollers. These by reason of their heated condition and the pressure to which the sheet is subj ected between the first finishing-roll 44 and the pressure-rolls 46, operating in conjunction therewith, serve to effectually finish the lower surface of the sheet, while the hot finishing-roll 45, acting in conjunction with the smaller rolls 47, serve to impart a like finish to the upper surface of the sheet. In case it is not desired to supply sizing to the surface of the sheet this may be omitted, and instead of sizing there may be supplied to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet, through the jet pipes or nozzles m and 'y, a solvent for the particular binder employed, this solvent actmg to soften the binder on the immediate surface of the sheet, and thereby rendering it particularly efficient in seizing and tying down projecting endsof the fibers as they are subjected -to the action of the finishing-rolls 44 and 45. In case a resinate is employed as the binder the solvent directed by the nozzles 9c and@ against the surface of the sheet may be either turpentine, naphtha, alcohol or the vapors of alcohol, or any suitable gas. The sheet having been thus effectually smoothed upon its surfaces by the finishingrolls is then advanced to the skiving mechanism, which serves to regularly skive out the sheet, thereby placing it in condition for the action of the cutting mechanism or diepress, and the pads having been delivered by the die-press t0 the carrier in front of the same they are by this carrier delivered to the finishing-press, which after effectively smoothing them on both sides delivers them to the off-bearing carrier 55.

It will thus be seen that the mechanism as a whole acts to take the raw fibers and binding material and by a continuous operation convert the same into finished pads ready to be placed upon the market.

It will be readily understood that if it is desired to utilize the sheet of fibrous mate rial for other purposes it may be treated as a finished product either after it leaves the steampress, or preferably after it leaves the finishing-rolls, and the skiv'ing operation, the

cutting by the die-press, and the finishing of the cut pads maybe omitted.

The specific construction of the steampress table, the finishin -rolls, the skiver, the die-press, and the finis 'ng-press, as well as that of the duster or binder-distributing mechanism, is not specifically claimed herein, since the same forms'the subject-matter of other applications.

What is claimed is- 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for laying the fibers down in a light, flutfy condition, with means for introducing dry finely-divided binding material between the fibers.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for laying the fibers down in a light fiuffycondition, with means for evenly distributing dry finelydivided binding material between the fibers.

In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for laying the fibers down in a light flufiy condition, with means for introducing dry finely-divided binding material between the fibers, and means subsequently converting said binding material into anactive bind er for the fibers.

4. In an apparatus of the charactei described, the combination of means for separating the fibers into a light fluffy mass, means introducing dry finely-divided binding material into said mass, and means supplying heat andmoisture to said mass.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of. means for separating the fibers into a li ht flufiy mass, means introducing dry finely-divided binding material into said mass, and means sub jecting said mass to heat, moisture and pressure. I

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means laying the fibers down in a plurality of superimposed films or layers, and means introducing dry finely-divided binding material between the 7. In an apparatus of the character de-' for the fibers.

Q. In an apparatus of the character descrlbed, the combination of means laying the fibers down in a plurality of superimposed stri or layer, means introducing dry finely-' 10. Inyan apparatus of the character described, the combination of means laying the fibers down in a plurality of superimposed films or layers, means introducing dry finelydivided binding material between the fibers of each film or layer, and means introducing moisture between the fibers of said superimposed films or layers.

11. In an apparatus of the character de-.-

scribed, the combination of means laying the fibers down in a plurality of superimposed films or layers, means introducing dry finelydivided binding material between the fibers of each film or layer, and means introducing moisture between the fibers of said films or layers and simultaneously subjecting said fibers to heat and pressure.

12. In an apparatus. for making garmentpads of fibrous material, the combination oi meanslaying the fibers down in a continuous strip or layer means introducing binding material between the fibers, and means cutting the pads from said strip or layer.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means laying the fibers down in a continuous stri or layer, means introducing dry finely-divi ed binding material between said fibers, and means subjecting the said strip or layer to heat and pressure.

14. In an apparatus for makin garmentpads of. fibrous material, the com ination of means laying the fibers down in a continuous divided binding material between said fibers, means subjecting the said strip .cr layer to heat and pressure, and means cutting the pads from said strip or layer.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means forming the fibers into a strip or layer, means introducing dry finely-divided binding material between the fibers, means converting the d binder into anfactive bind'ersfor the fibers, and means finishing or smoothing the surfaces ofthe strip or layer. 1 4

16; In an apparatus oithe character described, the combination of means forming the fibers into a strip or la er, means introducing dry finely-divided inding material between the fibers, means convertingthe binding'material. into an active binding material, and means forming or shaping the sheet in cross-section.

17. In an apparatus of the character de.-

scribed, the combination of carding mechanism, a dusting device, and forming means for imparting thedesired cross-sectional form to the sheet or layer of fibers.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of carding mechanism for forming the fibers into a strip or'layer, a dusting device for introducing binding material between the fibers, and a moisture-carrying device for converting the binding material into an active binder.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of carding mechanism for forming the fibers into a strip or layer, a dusting device for introducing binding material between the fibers, and a heat end pressure device for treating said strip or a er.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a carding mechanism for forming the fibers into a strip .or layer, a dusting device for introducing binding material between the fibers, a moisture- -ducing binding material between the fibers,

a source of heat and pressure for treating said strip or layer, and means skiving out or re- 'moving transverse segments or parts from one surface of the formed strip or layer.

22. In an apparatusfor making'garme'ntpads, the combination of a carding mechanism, a binder-distributing device, a source of' scribed, the combination of a carding mechanism, a continuous carrier :moving parallel with the dofier of the carder, and a continu- 'ous distributing-belt moving at an angle across the carrier and receiving the fibers from the dofier'and depositing them upon the carrier.

.24. In an apparatus of the character'de scribed, the combination of a carding mechanism, a continuous carrier moving parallel with the doiler of the carder, a continuous distributing belt interposed between the doifer and carrier and moving in a line at an angle to said dofier and carrier, and receiving the fibers from the dofi'er and depositing them upon the carrier.

, 25. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a carder, a continuous carrier moving parallelf'with the .dofier of the carder, a distributing-belt receiving the fibers from the carder and distributing them in the form of a sheet or layer across the carrier, and means regulating the ceiving the fibers from the carder and dis- 29. In an apparatus of the character de-- scribed, the combination of a carder, a carrier, an apron-belt in front of the dofi'er of the carder, a duster above said a ion-belt, means receiving the fibers from sai apron-belt and distributing them across the carrier, andj means regulating the width of the layer of fibers thus depositedon the carrier.

30. In an, apparatus of the character described, the combinatiori of acarder, a car 1 rier receivmg the fibers in sheet or 1a er form from the carder, and forming means or shap ing the sheet into the desired form in crosssection.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a carder, a carrier receiving the fibers in sheet or layer form from the carder, and a pair of conical rollers acting on one surface of said sheet or layer to give it a substantially trianguiar form in cross-section.

32. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a fiber-distributing mechanism, a carrier, and a pairoi" conical revolving rollers extending toward each other above the carrier.

33. in an a paratusi'ormaizing garmentads, the com ination of a c ror introducing binding materiafibers, means su plying he -rt, moisture and pressure to the ers, a die press for cuttin the pads from the matted or felted strip, an means for smoothing or finishing the surfaces of the pads.

34. In an a paratus for making garmentpads, the combination of a carder, means introducing and setting binding material between the fibers, means finishing the surfaces of the strip or sheet, means skiving out sections from one of the surfaces thereof, a cutter for cutting the pads from the skived strip, and means for smoothing or finishing the surfaces of the pads. Y

35. In an a paratus for making garmentpads, the com mation of means laying down a strip or sheet of fibers, means introducing binding material between the fibers whereby the same are united into a sheet, and means automatically cutting the pads from said sheet. 7

36. In an ap aratus'for making garmentpads, the com ination of means forming a ceases sheet of fibers tapering its intermediate portion toward its edges, means transversely skiving one side of said sheet at regular intervals, and means'cutting or stamping out pads from said sheet.

37. In an .a paratus for making garment' pads, means iorming a fibrous sheet of uneven thickness in cross-section, with means automatically stamping or cutting pads from said sheet.

ads. the combination of means forming a fibrous sheet tapering toward both of its edges from an intermediate thicker portion,

with means stampingor cutting pads from said sheet.

39. 'In an apparatus for making garmen pads, the combination of means for forming a fibrous sheet tapering from an intermediate portion toward its edges, means for sizing the surfaces of said sheet when formed, with means for automatically cutting the pads from said sheet.

40. In an a paratus for forming garment pads, the com ination of means for forming a fibrous sheet of material, means automatically cutting or stamping the pads therefrom, with an automatic device for smoothing or finishing the surfaces of the pads.

41. In an a paratus forforming garmentpads, the combination or" means laying down a sheet of fibrous material, means for subjecting said sheet to heat and ressure, and

means automatically cutting t e'pads from said sheet.

42. In an apparatus for making garmentpads, the combination of means laying down a sheet of fibrous material, means for introducing a dry binder between the fibers of said material, means for imparting the deshed shape in cross-section to said sheet, means for converting the dry binder into an active binding agent for the fibers, and means automatically cutting the pads from the sheet.

43. In an apparatus for forming garmentpadsfrom fibrous materials, the combination of sheet-forming mechanism, skiving mechanism and pad-cutting mechanism. v

44. In an apparatus for forming garmentpads from fibrous materials, the combination of means for forming a sheet of fibers, with pad-cutting mechanism.

45. In an apparatus for forming garmentpads from fibrous material, the combination of means for forming a sheet of fibers, with pad-cutting mechanism, and pad-finishing devices. r r

46. In an apparatus for forming garmentpads from fibrous material, the combination of means for forming a sheet of fibers, with skiving mechanism, adcutting mechanism, and a ad-finishing evice.

47. n anapparatus of the character described, the combination of means for laying 38. In an apparatus for making garmentthe fibers down in sheet form, with means for' subjecting said sheet to heat and pressure, said means including a moisture-carrying device.

48. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for laying the fibers down in sheet form, a plurality of belts between which said sheet is conveyed, one of which is a moisture-carrying belt, and means subjecting the sheet to heat and pressure while between said belts.

49. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means laying the fibers down in sheet form, means subjecting said sheet to heatand pressure, forming devices for giving the sheet the desired crosssectional shape, and surface-finishing means -for smoothing the surface of the sheet.

50. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means laying the 20 material down in sheet form, forming deing witnesses.

' GUSTAV GOLDMAN Witnesses:

S. T. CAMERON, REEVE LEWIS. 

